The Surya Nepal Western Open is beginning here at the par-70 Himalayan Golf Course on Wednesday.

A total 26 pros and 18 amateur golfers will take part in the seventh event under the Surya Nepal Golf Tour 2017-18. The event is organised

by Nepal Professional Golfers Association under the sponsorship of Surya Nepal Pvt Ltd.

The event will conclude with a Pro-Am event on Saturday. Amateurs from Pokhara will rub shoulders with top professional golfers of the country.

All the professional and top amateur golfers of the country have already arrived in Pokhara and got acclimatised to the playing conditions of the most adventurous Himalayan Golf Course, said NPGA a release.

The course set in the backdrops of majestic Mt Machhapuchhre alongside Bijayapur River is certainly

going to test the skills of all the top notch golfers, added NPGA.

The NPGA has raised the total prize money to Rs 630,000. The winner will receive a cheque of Rs 115,000, while the runner-up will

get Rs 74,000. The third-placed golfer will get Rs 53000, while others in the top 21 will also receive their share of cash prizes.

Defending champion and Nepal Number one, Shiva Ram Shrestha said he had a good round of practice and hoped to fare well in the event. “I had a good round of golf today and I am confident of doing well in the tournament,” said Shrestha, who has already won five of six previous events of the season.

Bhuwan Nagarkoti, Rame Magar and Rabi Khadka are extremely expected to give tough fight in the 54-hole event.